Network Rail has awarded a £22 million contract to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, to bring more light into London Liverpool Street by renewing the roof panels as well as improving the drainage system of station’s Victorian trainshed.

A large area of the roof is covered in lichen growth which allows very little light to enter the station. These lichen covered panels over platforms 1-10, will be replaced to continue to provide essential protection from the elements and make it a lighter, brighter environment for passengers.

And with more frequent and intense rain-storms likely in the coming years as a result of climate change, the roof needs to be resilient to these challenges and allow rainwater to drain away, without overwhelming the drainage system and entering the station environment.

The contract will deliver a package of work that will improve the overall experience for all users and passengers, by allowing more natural light into the station and make the roof resilient to 1-in-10 year storms. The contract includes:

• Replacement of the life-expired GRP (glass reinforced plastic) panels at the northern end of the trainshed.
• Replacement or repair of over 600 Georgian panels and fittings over the southern end of the trainshed and concourse roof.
• Repair of the aluminium roof sheeting across the whole roof.
• Improvement to the roof’s catchment and drainage system to accommodate more intense rain events.
• Repair and restoration of the valance panels on the end of the trainshed roof.

From Christmas 2024, these improvements will start to be delivered using an innovative sliding works platform, suspended under the roof spans, and operated from Bishopgate’s Exchange Square.

This approach will minimise disruption inside the station and allow the roof renewal work to take place overhead while allowing the station operations to continue as normal without interruption.

Emily Heria, Network Rail Anglia sponsor for the roof renewal programme said: “London Liverpool Street is the jewel in the crown for the Anglia rail network and our passengers deserve to have a bright, dry and welcoming station.

“Awarding this contract to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure marks an major step forward to giving this important station the care and attention it deserves and to shore up the roof against increasing and more frequent storm events.”

Olivia Perkins, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure Managing Director for Rail, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this scheme, to refresh and improve the resilience of the roof at Liverpool Street station.

“In planning the works we have aimed to put passengers first, working closely with Network Rail and key stakeholders, and learning from previous schemes, to develop a methodology that will minimise the impact to station users. We are pleased to be getting underway.”

The roof renewal work is currently expected to be completed by end of 2026.

Image credit: Network Rail